Replace Brake Fluid
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: pa
Replace Brake Fluid
My 2020 was 3 yo in August. I have always replaced brake fluid and lubed slide pins every two years. I have been driving Toyota and Lexus vehicles since 1974. Seems like they have tight clearances on slide pins and they get sticky after a couple years. I am behind schedule.
So, have any of you replaced brake fluid and lubed slide pins on your newish ES cars? Find anything interesting? Thanks.
So, have any of you replaced brake fluid and lubed slide pins on your newish ES cars? Find anything interesting? Thanks.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2016
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if you're going through all the trouble of undoing the caliper slide pins i'd also yank the pads out and clean the brackets and ears and lube them too. shim backing plates too. basically service all contact points.
if you're doing the fluid, i believe most modern cars require you to electronically initiate the VSC/ABS system since the fluid runs through it. I know back in my 2002 BMW 3 series days it was a big deal and we used to run little laptops with BMW factory emulated software on it to shake bubbles free out of the VSC box. Then you had your guys who did it without that and they got air in the lines they couldn't get out. so just consider that.
you can also just do all the mechanical things yourself and take it to a shop / dealer to bleed the air..
if you're doing the fluid, i believe most modern cars require you to electronically initiate the VSC/ABS system since the fluid runs through it. I know back in my 2002 BMW 3 series days it was a big deal and we used to run little laptops with BMW factory emulated software on it to shake bubbles free out of the VSC box. Then you had your guys who did it without that and they got air in the lines they couldn't get out. so just consider that.
you can also just do all the mechanical things yourself and take it to a shop / dealer to bleed the air..
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Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 731
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From: MA
My real question is how do you do this?
The Utubes I've seen sound like you have to rub your tummy while you scratch both ears while flicking control levers and listening for caliper retraction.
I'm used to the old simple "C" clamp method.
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Joined: Mar 2019
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From: USA
Did you place the rear calipers into the "service position" to retract the pads during your cleaning/lube?
My real question is how do you do this?
The Utubes I've seen sound like you have to rub your tummy while you scratch both ears while flicking control levers and listening for caliper retraction.
I'm used to the old simple "C" clamp method.
My real question is how do you do this?
The Utubes I've seen sound like you have to rub your tummy while you scratch both ears while flicking control levers and listening for caliper retraction.
I'm used to the old simple "C" clamp method.
You can get a high end scanning machine that can put your Lexus into brake service mode with pressing of 1 button from HD or Amazon.
I found this video is very simple to follow:
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Joined: Jun 2014
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From: MI
Did you place the rear calipers into the "service position" to retract the pads during your cleaning/lube?
My real question is how do you do this?
The Utubes I've seen sound like you have to rub your tummy while you scratch both ears while flicking control levers and listening for caliper retraction.
I'm used to the old simple "C" clamp method.
My real question is how do you do this?
The Utubes I've seen sound like you have to rub your tummy while you scratch both ears while flicking control levers and listening for caliper retraction.
I'm used to the old simple "C" clamp method.
No need to retract.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 129
From: pa
Did you place the rear calipers into the "service position" to retract the pads during your cleaning/lube?
My real question is how do you do this?
The Utubes I've seen sound like you have to rub your tummy while you scratch both ears while flicking control levers and listening for caliper retraction.
I'm used to the old simple "C" clamp method.
My real question is how do you do this?
The Utubes I've seen sound like you have to rub your tummy while you scratch both ears while flicking control levers and listening for caliper retraction.
I'm used to the old simple "C" clamp method.
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Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 731
Likes: 294
From: MA
It's pretty loud though, you can't miss it.
You can get a high end scanning machine that can put your Lexus into brake service mode with pressing of 1 button from HD or Amazon.
I found this video is very simple to follow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT6w7ag8xbM
You can get a high end scanning machine that can put your Lexus into brake service mode with pressing of 1 button from HD or Amazon.
I found this video is very simple to follow:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT6w7ag8xbM
Question: When he took the brakes out of maintenance mode at time Stamp 3:18, was he HOLDING the ignition button the entire time (until the brake light stopped flashing) or was it a single press/release?
I'm guessing the scanning tools for this are expensive but I'll take a look.
Last edited by hotwings; Oct 10, 2023 at 04:09 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 731
Likes: 294
From: MA
My 2020 was 3 yo in August. I have always replaced brake fluid and lubed slide pins every two years. I have been driving Toyota and Lexus vehicles since 1974. Seems like they have tight clearances on slide pins and they get sticky after a couple years. I am behind schedule.
Hybrid brakes may last much longer, but you still have to perform the same lube/cleaning which might get missed now that the pads "look good" upon inspection.
Last edited by hotwings; Oct 10, 2023 at 04:54 PM.
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